The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized approximately 55,000 smuggled e-cigarettes worth ₹13.50 crore in two operations at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, according to a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on October 28, 2026.
The seizures were made on October 24 after DRI officers acted on specific intelligence and intercepted two containers carrying Nepal bound transshipment consignments suspected of containing e-cigarettes.
E-Cigarettes Hidden Among Declared Goods
According to the DRI, the consignments had been mis-declared as ordinary goods to conceal the prohibited products.
- First container: Officers recovered 40,000 IGET brand e-cigarettes in various flavours, hidden among the declared cargo.
- Second container: Approximately 15,000 e-cigarettes of different brands, including VTV, VOKO, Bang and Ejoy, were found concealed among the declared goods.
- Total seizure: Around 55,000 e-cigarettes valued at ₹13.50 crore.
The DRI seized the e-cigarettes along with the cover cargo under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act.
E-Cigarettes Prohibited in India
- Electronic cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The law prohibits their Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement.
DRI Seizures Exceed ₹120 Crore in FY 2026-27
- The PIB release stated that during the current financial year 2026-27, the DRI had seized approximately 3 lakh e-cigarettes worth more than ₹120 crore across ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
- The latest operation forms part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to detect and prevent the illicit import and movement of prohibited e-cigarettes.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India, October 28, 2026.
